Burton Clyde Cebulski

Sunday

Nov 3, 2013 at 8:00 AM

Burton Clyde Cebulski passed away at his home in Negaunee, Mich., on Oct. 29, 2013.

He was born in Ann Arbor on Oct. 6, 1946, attended Pioneer High School and graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He came to Adrian High School in the fall of 1972 and taught biology, physics, chemistry, general science and a class that he and his friend Herb Mills developed, Environmental Science. During his 33 years at the high school, he was assistant wrestling coach, assistant track coach and was head cross country coach for 29 years. He retired from teaching in December of 2004. The Adrian Cross Country Invitational was renamed the Burt Cebulski Invitational in his honor in fall of 2012.

Burton married his wife, Kerry, on Dec. 11, 1976, and they have two daughters, Erin (Greg) Bauman and Chelsey Cebulski. During their 37-year marriage they were inseparable, running marathons together, hiking, camping, fishing, bug collecting and riding their motorcycles on many adventure-filled trips. Burton will always be remembered by friends for the 4th of July celebrations on the farm, and by the runners he coached who were invited out once a year for his famous sloppy joes after The Rambo Run.

Burton will be missed by his brothers, Walter (Karla) and Timothy; nieces and nephews, Lucas, Nicole, Sarah, Angelina and Drake; also Kerry's special cousin, Pam (John) Innocente, who came to stay with her and help caregiver son-in-law Greg and Kerry and give comfort and support near the end. He was loved by his aunts and uncles and cousins, especially cousin, Donny Johnson, who made so many trips out to the farm during their last winter there. Special people lost their close friend, hunting buddy Herb Mills; traveling companions Jeff and Sharon Rejc; college friends Scott and Rose Underwood; first friend at Adrian, Mike Haynes, and friends who ended up in-laws, Deana and John Reuscher.The family wants to thank Lynne and Dennis Fox, Judy and Bill Kohn, Kerri and Eric Clarke, and Matt Hughes for the fundraisers that helped Burton to stay on the farm one more winter before he was able to move to Negaunee to be with his wife and daughters and son-in-law at the end. A big thank you to everyone who helped make the move possible: Herb Mills, Jeff and Sharon Rejc, Gabe Ives and his parents Mark and Susan, Eric and Kerri Clarke, Matt Hughes, Lyne Smith, the Reuschers, and Jim and Ryan Knox. The move was an emotional time and you all helped to make Burton's final months incredibly happy.

Burton, a renowned dragonfly expert, lived to see his 28-year study of dragonfly egg parasites published in The Great Lakes Entomologist. The tiny wasp is a new species, yet unnamed, with specimens at the Smithsonian and The Canadian National Museum. His close friend and colleague Mark O'Brien (U of M) was instrumental in getting this paper ready in time for Burton to see it in print. Burton gave him co-authorship for Mark's expertise in deciphering 28 years of notes for the finished paper.

Burton loved his family, his friends, his students, and the athletes he coached. So many of them sent letters and cards with favorite memories of him when they learned of his illness. He is now with his beloved mother, Doris; younger brother, David; and father, Clyde. He left this world peacefully knowing he will see everyone again someday in Heaven.At Burton's request, he was cremated and there will be no funeral or memorial service. He wanted people to remember him not in death, but in all the good times they had with him during his life.

Finally, thank you to the Hickman Cancer Center that helped make his transition to Marquette Medical Center. Also an incredible thank you to the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice Organization who became so close to Burton and his family in his final months. The medical organizations will always remember "the bug man" every time they see a dragonfly, as will everyone else that his incredible life touched.

The Fassbender Funeral Home, Marquette, is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at www.fassbenderfuneralhome.com.